Student Spotlight: Tyler Pederson '17

Tyler Pederson ’17 grew up just 6 miles from campus. He always planned on moving away for college, but says there was something unique about the academic rigor and athletics at Concordia that really appealed to him.

Tyler Pederson'17, Fargo, N.D.

Major:Business with an emphasis in healthcare administration

What seemed unique about Concordia to you?

Concordia was different in many ways, including that it was the smallest college I looked at. To me, this meant I would have ample opportunities for involvement in whatever I saw fit, just like I did in high school.

What do you love about your hometown of Fargo-Moorhead?

The connections, food, shops and the friendliness of the area are what make this place so unique. There’s always something to do for every person's particular hobbies and interests – you just have to search for it or create it if it doesn’t already exist. Fargo-Moorhead is continuously growing, and there are endless opportunities within the community.

How did you choose your major at Concordia?

I am majoring in business with an emphasis in healthcare administration. Within that program there are several different routes to take including healthcare leadership, healthcare financial management, and long-term care administration. I chose both healthcare financial management and long-term care administration as I saw them being the most beneficial and worthwhile for my future plans in healthcare.

What are you involved with on and off campus?

I’m involved in cross country, track and field, the Student Ambassador Program, Student Healthcare Management Association, and Offutt Student Leader Organization. Also, over the last few years, I have been a volunteer cross country and track and field assistant coach for Shanley High School. I also was a Certified Nursing Assistant at CHI Riverview Place in Fargo.

What has been a highlight of your college career?

Although on-campus learning from professors is at the heart of a students’ education, my highlights occurred off campus in opportunities with the Student Healthcare Management Association and on my Exploration Seminar to Hong Kong. With SHMA, I have been fortunate to visit the MHA program at the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and Hennepin County Medical Center in the Twin Cities. These, among other opportunities with SHMA, have highlighted my college career by showing me what real-world experiences are like in healthcare. The different trips have allowed me to see the great opportunities my Concordia education can bring to whatever healthcare setting I pursue.

Tell us about the special opportunities you’ve had with the Offutt School of Business.

Along with my internships that coincide with my healthcare administration concentrations, I was allotted the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong for a weeklong study abroad opportunity with Professor Mason from the finance department. This Exploration Seminar was something I fully sought after seeing a poster for it months in advance. Along with talking to Professor Mason frequently about the trip and attending the informational meeting, I became more interested with the idea of traveling halfway around the globe to experience a whole new “world.” During our trip, we were fortunate enough to visit with several finance firms, a few Fortune 500 companies, experience the sights and sounds of the country itself from sea level to skyscraper and mountaintop views. Hong Kong had it all and I will forever cherish the memories created with my professor, tour guide, and fellow Cobber students and staff.

What internships have you had?

Within the healthcare administration program, students are required to take up an internship to complete the concentration requirements and, since I decided to take two concentrations, I was required to take two internships. I completed a long-term care administration internship at Presbyterian Homes – Johanna Shores Gables Care Center in Arden Hills, Minn., and a healthcare financial management internship at Essentia Health in Fargo.

How did internships impact your college experience?

My first experience was better than I could have imagined. Last summer, I was given the opportunity to study and practice under a current long-term care administrator at the Johanna Shores Gables Care Center. This opportunity was both eye-opening and a true testament that I have found my correct career path. Within the internship, I was able to sit in on meetings with various professionals throughout the large organization of Presbyterian Homes, as well as sit and talk with residents and learn about their past and current situations. In addition, I was able to learn about important relationships within healthcare and how it’s a team aspect and, without that construct, nothing will be completed correctly because something will be forgotten. Nothing compares to real-world experiences. I could not be more thankful to have these internships be part of the curriculum for healthcare majors because it teaches you how to be good with people and goes beyond the textbook material.

Any particular professors who have helped you professionally?

It seems like everywhere I go there are outstanding professors at Concordia, and I truly believe they make this place as great as it is. From always being there to going the extra mile for a student’s success, you always see professors doing what it takes. I have to say that my healthcare professors Dr. Daniel Anderson and Shelly Gompf have laid an outstanding framework of what healthcare is, what it means to be in healthcare, where healthcare is going, connections for future jobs from various alumni in healthcare, and what it means to be a true leader with honor and integrity in healthcare. It is this framework and knowledge I will take with me as I got out into the world to BREW.

What are you doing following graduation?

I am excited for my second internship within the healthcare administration program this summer in healthcare financial management. I will be interning with Essentia Health under the chief financial officer of their west region, Kyle Dorow. This is an experience I have been looking forward to starting since I declared my major under the healthcare administration track and I am excited it is upon me.

On leaving college:

At the end of the day, you are doing your best to help those in the worst of circumstances, and I believe my education and two internships have prepared me greatly for what lies ahead in the ever-changing landscape of being a healthcare leader.